Our immersive five-day Southern Māori Business Showcase offered unique opportunities to engage with Māori businesses and experience Te Ao Māori first-hand.
Discover what was on offer below…
Māori & Pacific Designer Showcase
Presented by Pearl Sidwell - Queenstown Fashion Week and Tracy Cameron - Ican Models & Talent, this event is a truly inspiring experience, celebrating the creativity of the southern Māori and Pacific designers, showcased by our talented Māori and Pacific models. Be amazed at some of the unique traditional & contemporary korowai, Pacific runway haute couture straight from NZ Fashion Week, jewellery and milliner hats. Featured Designers include Amber Bridgman - KAHUWAI, Peni Moala - taehia, Niki White, Master Weaver Rokahurihia Cameron. Ican Models and Talent Tracy Cameron. Compered by Queenstown's much loved Karen Hattaway of Rua Consultancy.
Blue Kanu Manaakitanga Experience
Step into a world of warmth and connection at Blue Kanu's Manaakitanga Experience! Gather around our whānau table and delight in a Pacifica fusion culinary journey, connect with locals and visitors alike and engage in meaningful kōrero led by Hari Rapata, long-time Queenstown local, entrepreneur and creative, who shared stories of our place, our people and our culture. This was an unforgettable evening filled with warmth, laughter, and the true spirit of Manaakitanga.
Soul to Stage
Embark on a journey towards bringing your story to life on the stage. Drawing on their Māori upbringing to create powerful stories for diverse audiences - Julian Noel, writer, director and actor of ‘Bones’, and Hari Rapata, writer, director and actor of ‘Toa’ delve into the profound craft of storytelling. In this workshop we discover your starting point, explore the essence of your narrative intent, and discuss navigating the inevitable hurdles by embracing your intuition.
Te Hā | Breathwork and Sound Healing Workshop
Hosted by Kyle Pauro, a Holistic Performance Coach, Spirit Breathwork Facilitator, Sound Healer, Trained Psychic Medium, Men’s Mentor and founder of Holistic Performance. Te hā is deeply interwoven into our interconnectedness of all things and that everything in the world shares the ‘same’ breath or life force, it is a symbol of unity, shared experiences, and the acknowledgement of our shared humanity. It is also connected to the way that we breathe and a vital part of the holistic modality of Breathwork.
The combination of breathwork and sound therapy can create a powerful experience, allowing you to tap into your inner self and release any emotional or physical blockages you may be experiencing. It can also be a transformative experience that will help you connect with your deeper self, dropping you into your heart space and allowing you to access spiritual insight and awareness. Intuitively curated and guided by experienced facilitator Kyle Pauro from Te Ati Hau-a-nui a Paparangi descent who honours all indigenous practices and prioritises safety and integration.
Finalists Evening Event
Sponsored by Findex
Living the promise of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in life & work | Workshop
This free public workshop was facilitated by Darren Rewi, Te Ao Marama Apiata and Chris Jansen from Leadership Lab and was an opportunity for local communities and businesses to explore the original intent of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and how this can be effectively integrated in business practice and community life in 2023. The focus was on benefits to Māori communities as well as all New Zealand citizens and residents and also international visitors to this country. This discussion was based on a range of case studies from Leadership Lab’s work around Aotearoa including the Te Kakau Project where Leadership Lab engaged with QLDC for 18 months in 2021 and 2022 supporting over 100 leaders in the Wānaka and Queenstown area. Practical approaches include incorporating Māori values including manaakitanga, whānaungatanga and mahi tahi, incorporating Māori practices into the engagement of stakeholders and customers, and the opportunities that co-governance brings.
Māori Business Market Day | Remarkables Market
KUMA Māori Markets was an opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of culture, art, and cuisine. It's more than just a market; it's an opportunity to connect, network, and possibly pick up some Christmas pressies along the way. Showcasing southern Māori businesses, organisations and whānau groups, Māori crafts, art, and delicious kai, an array of products and services, and information booths and captivating demonstrations.
Rangatahi Q+A
Facilitated by Candace Carroll (Tāhuna) and Georgia Cleaver (Ōtepoti) who will discuss Mātauranga Māori and lead an engaging Q&A session empowering rangatahi to explore crucial topics, exchange insights on personal growth prospects, and tackle the daily challenges they encounter. This event is for our younger generations to connect and share their voice, and is an opportunity for all to be inspired by the strength of our rangatahi and hear their unique perspective about the world around us.
Awards Gala Evening
Shotover Jet - KUMA Whānau Experience
Joining the iconic, Māori owned, Shotover Jet, our whānau took a unique, breath-taking ride through dramatic and narrow canyons at speeds of up to 90 km/hour.
